Nigerian Journal of Clinical Medicine

Prevalence and characteristics of rotavirus acute diarrhoea among children 0-5 years old in Jos, North Central Nigeria

A. Y. Ajang — 2026-06-17

Background: Diarrhea remains the major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and other developing countries. Rotavirus is the major agent causing acute diarrhea among children under five years and below, and is the major cause of infantile diarrhea, especially in developing countries. This study determined the prevalence of rotavirus infection in children 0-5 years with gastroenteritis in some primary health care centers and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, North-central Nigeria.

Methodology: A total of 192 children with acute diarrhea were selected by a random sampling technique from April to October 2024. Stool samples were obtained and assayed for rotavirus antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique using (Diagnostic Automation/Cortez Diagnostics Inc, USA) ELISA kits, while diarrhoea was defined as passing watery stool at least 3 times in the preceding 24 hours. Demographic data of parents and their children were also obtained using structured questionnaires.

Results: Rotavirus was detected in stool samples of 38(19.8%) children with acute diarrhoea. In this study, age was a significant risk factor for Rotavirus Infection (p<0.05). The result further revealed that the source of drinking water was also an important risk factor for Rotavirus Infection in the study population. More so, in this study, fever and vomiting did not show a relationship with Rotavirus Infection. However, dehydration was a significant clinical presentation for Rotavirus Infection (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study revealed that children of 0-10 months were at a higher risk of Rotavirus Infection, and those with Rotavirus Infection presented a severe degree of dehydration. It is recommended to urgently improve the maintenance of piped water, public health enlightenment, and education of parents regarding proper childcare and standard hygiene practices.

Physical activity level and its effect on blood pressure control among hypertensives attending a tertiary hospital in North-Eastern Nigeria

Attahiru Muhammad — 2026-06-17

Introduction: Blood pressure control is influenced by patient, healthcare professional, and health system factors. Among patient factors, lifestyle modification especially regular physical activity is essential for preventing and controlling hypertension. This study assessed the level of physical activity and its effect on blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Northeastern Nigeria.

Material And Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 hypertensive patients. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire incorporating the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: The mean age was 52.9 ± 14.5 years, with females constituting 67.3%. Only 25.7% achieved sufficient physical activity, while 41.0% had optimal blood pressure control. Physical activity level, age, marital status, medication adherence, and body mass index were independent predictors of blood pressure control.

Conclusion: Sufficient physical activity was notably low in this setting. Interventions targeting exercise-related behaviors may enhance blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients.

Burden of depressive disorders among adolescents with epilepsy: Prevalence, and correlates in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Victor Daniel — 2026-06-17

Background: Depression is the commonest psychiatric comorbidity among people with epilepsy more so among adolescents. Despite rising prevalence of depression among this vulnerable group, few studies have focused on mental disorders among adolescents with epilepsy in northern Nigeria.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression among adolescents with epilepsy in a resource limited setting.

Materials And Methods: A total of 230 adolescents with epilepsy were recruited in the study using systematic sampling technique and administered the sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, Depression module of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children and Adolescents (MINI-KID). Using SPSS, the Chisquare analysis was used to determine association, while binary logistic regression analysis, (P< 0.05), determined independent predictors of depression.

Results: The mean age was 13.96 ± 2.6. Most respondents (65.2%) were males. The majority, 93.9%, had formal education. Generalized seizures was the commonest (66.5%). The prevalence of depression was 50.4%. Depression was significantly associated with gender (P=0.004), level of education (P=0.015) and family type (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Depression is common among adolescents with epilepsy in this study setting, with gender, educational level, and family type significantly associated with its occurrence. Routine mental health screening should be integrated into epilepsy care to improve early detection and management.

Age-adjusted quick sequential organ failure assessment score for predicting disease severity in children with sepsis: A cross- sectional study

H. E. Ugbeni — 2026-06-17

Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under-five children, particularly in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) where tools to diagnose and predict disease severity at admission are limited. The Liverpool quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (LqSOFA) score is a simple bedside tool developed to diagnose and predict sepsis severity, yet its utility in African paediatric settings remains understudied.

Methods: In this prospective study, eighty children with clinical diagnosis of sepsis using LqSOFA score parameters at admission were enrolled and followed up for key outcome indices including, respiratory support, cardiovascular support, prolong stay in CHER/admission, survival or death. Data obtained at admission and follow up were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with p<0.05.

Results: Higher LqSOFA scores were significantly associated with need for respiratory support, inotrope use, and prolonged emergency stay (> 24 hours) in children with sepsis (P< 0.001). LqSOFA score showed excellent accuracy for respiratory support and inotrope use (AUC = 0.98), good accuracy for mortality (AUC = 0.88) and reliably predicted prolonged emergency stay (AUC = 0.89) but not extended hospital stay (AUC = 0.61).

Conclusion: The LqSOFA score is a reliable bedside tool for predicting sepsis severity, thus guiding treatment modalities.

Case report of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) as a common, potentially fatal, neurological complication of epidemic diphtheria in Nigerian children

L. I. Hayatudeen — 2026-06-17

Background: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a disorder of the valve that separate nasopharynx from oropharynx which can manifest as nasal regurgitation.

Aim: To report case of a patient admitted for management of severe diphtheria, developed nasal regurgitation as a complication and died after discharge.

Method: History, physical examination and laboratory assessment of the patient with the treatment approach were reported. There were initial clinical improvement of symptoms of diphtheria before development of VPI which was managed conservatively before her death during follow up care.

Result: Patient reportedly died at home by the second day of discharge after experiencing a bout of respiratory distress.

Limitation: Laboratory capacity for Elek test and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmation of microbial toxigenicity with sociocultural abhorrence of clinical autopsy to confirm cause of death are the limitations of this study.

Conclusion: Clinicians are increasingly recognizing VPI as a neurological complication of diphtheria with attendant morbidity and mortality. Preventing diphtheria will contribute significantly to prevention of VPI.

A case report of tardive dyskinesia presenting with nasal speech in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria

Oluwafunbi Opadola — 2026-06-17

Background: Antipsychotics, particularly older generation used, have a well-known drawback of a constellation of movement disorders called extrapyramidal side-effects (EPSE). Tardive dyskinesia (TD), as a chronic and unremitting example of such, occurs in 20%-50% of people on long-term neuroleptic therapy.

Case Report: A 56-year-old man being managed for schizophrenia, who was stable on oral chlorpromazine 100mg and intramuscular (IM) fluphenazine 50mg monthly over 18 years. Six years under our care, he developed nasal speech. Laryngeal examination, X-ray of postnatal space, Electroencephalogram (EEG), and contrast-enhanced cranial Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) showed no significant findings. We considered tardive dyskinesia a suitable diagnosis in this patient, having excluded other possible causes. Oral chlorpromazine was switched to Olanzapine, and speech therapy was instituted, but the speech problem persisted.

Conclusion: Although one of the challenges of chronic antipsychotic use is TD, speech abnormality is a rare presentation. Patients must be assessed for the risk of TD, and the goal should be the lowest effective dose of antipsychotics for the shortest possible duration and the use of neuroleptics which are less likely to cause this disabling condition.